Facade of the Burlesque Hall of Fame

Note from the Director: What I’m Thankful For

At this time of year, we are reminded to give thanks for the things we are grateful for. This year, as director of BHoF, I have been challenged as I never have before, and I am beyond thankful for the people who have faced those challenges with me: our staff,

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New in Our Collection: Sheet Music for “I’m Just Wild About Harry”

Sheet music for “I’m Just Wild About Harry” from the musical Shuffle AlongLyrics by Noble Sissle, Music by Eubie Blake (M.W. & Sons, 1921) Shuffle Along was a 1921 Broadway musical comedy. It was groundbreaking in many ways, being the first all-Black written and performed Broadway production. Additionally, it is

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Close-up of ornament featuring b/w photo of Jennie Lee in Santa's helper outfit, hanging on a lit Christmas tree

Send your holiday wishes to burlesque’s legends!

The holidays are coming, and The Burlesque Hall of Fame would like your help spreading some much needed holiday cheer with the burlesque legends! The pandemic has been stressful for all and many of our legends may be in isolation. We’d like to ensure they can still feel our love

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Trick or treat! Check out our virtual Halloween tour!

Experience a darker side of BHoF! For a limited time, take a virtual tour of burlesque’s haunted history. Whose ghost dwells in the theater where Sally Rand once performed? What cursed color would burlesque’s legends never be caught undead in? And OMG, what is that thing?!?! Join the staff of

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Black and white photo of burlesque dancer Zorita, nude save high heels and a corset held against her chest, laying on a teardrop-shaped settee which has been colored orange over the original image.

#MuseumAtHome: Burlesque Arrests

From its earliest arrival on US shores, burlesque has posed a challenge to local authorities charged with upholding local standards of “decency”. Whether it was women wearing men’s clothing (which was against the law in many municipalities until well into the 20th century) or women wearing not enough clothing (or

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Detail of photo of Dixie Evans wearing boa

#MuseumAtHome: Happy Birthday to “Miss Exotic World” Creator Dixie Evans

Dixie Evans, “The Marilyn Monroe of Burlesque,” would have been 94 today. After a successful career as a burlesque dancer, Dixie eventually ended up running the Exotic World museum, creating the Miss Exotic World pageant that to this day forms the core of our BHoF Weekender, going on right now

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BHoF Virtual Book Club; image shows an illustrated fan dancer

This month’s virtual book club pick is <em>Babylon Girls</em> by Jayna Brown. Join us Aug 20 to discuss!

Join us for the “breast” book club around! ⁣⁣ The Burlesque Hall of Fame Virtual Book Club meets the third Thursday of every month via Zoom. Everyone is invited to join us, sign up here: bhof.link/joinbookclub ⁣⁣This month’s book is Babylon Girls: Black Women Performers and the Shaping of the

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Banner for 2020 Virtual Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender, featuring purple background and rhinestoned crowns

Join Us for a Virtual Tour!

The museum is closed at the moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it! Join us for a live virtual tour, offered several times throughout the month of August as part of our 2020 Virtual Burlesque Hall of Fame Weekender! Each tour will last 30-60 minutes via Zoom (you’ll

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Bally at Jennie Lee's Canadian National Exhibition pavilion

NEW ONLINE EXHIBITION – <em>Bump & Grind Beneath the Big Top: Burlesque in Circuses, Carnivals, and Fairs</em>

Step right up, folks. Behind this curtain you’ll find wonders beyond your imagination. See the stars of the midcentury girl show! Learn about the Black revues! Find out how burlesque dancers lived on the road! And watch your wallets, you never know when someone will try to take you for

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BHoF Virtual Book Club; image shows an illustrated fan dancer

Join us to discuss this month’s Book Club pick: <em>Stripped Down</em> by Anna Brooke, a.k.a. Rev. Legs Malone

Join the breast virtual book club around! This month, we’re reading Stripped Down: How Burlesque Led me Home by burlesquer Rev. Legs Malone (under her “muggle” name, Anna Brooke). Legs’ memoir describes her discovery of burlesque and how the lessons she learned of self-acceptance and personal expression let her begin

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